'Community' renewed for Season 5 at NBC; 'The Blacklist,' 'Night Shift' and 'Welcome to the Family' greenlit

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NBC has renewed bubble comedy “Community” for a fifth season. Despite modest ratings and some behind-the-scenes shake-ups prior to this season, the Greendale Community College lives on, thanks to its extremely vocal and cultish fanbase.

Had NBC not picked up the show, it likely would have lived on elsewhere, given Sony TV’s dedication and the fan following.

The Season 4 finale of the show could have served as a series finale, potentially offering up a redemption arc for Jeff (Joel McHale), and in fact, some fans and critics felt it was time for the show to bow out. Following the departure of creator Dan Harmon, the show has been through creative ups and downs, including the less-than-graceful exit of series star Chevy Chase.

The “Community” pickup will get the show to about 100 episodes, the magic number for syndication. NBC has also picked up three pilots produced by Sony — dramas “The Blacklist” and “Night Shift” and comedy “Welcome to the Family.” Reports earlier in the week had network and studio negotiating a multi-show deal that would include “Community,” and that appears to have come to pass.